ANSWERS to why locks are falling out, or hair at the scalp is thinning, or spaces are getting wider: Very simple 1) TWISTING: The twisting or retighten of the hair at the scalp. I haven’t seen many people with locks ( of any kind of locks) who don’t have thinning. 2) FREQUENCY: the frequency of twisting and re-tying the hair, 3) FRICTION: the friction of the tool pushing through and then pulling back through the hair POPS the hair WITHIN each lock not just around each lock. If it was AROUND each lock, then the lock wouldn’t fall out, 4) DRYNESS: To my knowledge sister locks can not have much product so therefore the hair is dry which is a big No No when adding friction like pushing and pulling that tool through at the root every 6-8 weeks. 5) DIET: Poor diet such as Sugar and excessive fatty food causes inflammation in The body which can cause lack of blood circulating to the scalp and balding/hair falling out. 6) HEAVINESS/LENGTH: As the hair grows the weight of the hair on each already THINED lock strand is excessive. It’s not the same as having loose long hair. We want long hair but if your hair is fine and low density then you SHOULD keep your locks shorter to prevent excessive weight on each square grid. Keep them cut to just past shoulder length to decrease weight and heaviness pulling on the scalp. The LONGER the lock, the heavier it is. 5) REATTACHING: I don’t recommend Reattaching fallen locks to broken strands as it is only adding more weight and tension on the scalp. I work in healthcare with people who have a had strokes. When that arm is weak or paralyzed it ultimately becomes a heavy like a weight to the shoulder and pulls on muscles/tendons/ligaments resulting in a space called subluxation. This is what happens to each lock as it grows and pulls. Try these suggestions and I pray that you all have healing and new growth.
This was so me!! And why I eventually did the big chop in November. My poor hair is soooooo thin now. Going through repair now. And learning how to care for my loose natural hair. It’s discouraging , but I’m just trying to be consistent with my hair care regime and trust the process. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 Your hair is gorgeous btw!! 💗💗💗💗💗💗
As you age you will also lose some hair due to menopause,not to mention that Sisterlocks can also cause Alopecia the same as dreads or constant braiding. Once the hair grows long they become too heavy for the hair at the root(the anchor) which can cause Traction Alopecia. Natural are more healthier than dreads,braids or Sisterlocks.
I am. I have spoken to a couple of trichologists, but I am still looking for more information. I'm being told that the damage to my scalp is irreversible, which is obviously concerning.
I’ve had sisterlocks for about three years. After noticing a bald spot and thinning throughout the top of my head, as well as some combined locs (probably because of thinning), I asked my loctician, who said that there was some thinning but she didn’t think it was bad. I compared photos from when I had my establishment and it is pretty bad. I went to see a dermatologist who said that she thinks it’s female pattern baldness. She took bloodwork to rule out other causes and I’m waiting for that to come back. But she also said that for me, sisterlocks is the worst possible style because the pulling and styling right next to the scalp will only make the problem worse. So now I’m contemplating cutting off my locs, which are well past my shoulders. I’m okay getting rid of them if the trade off is not being bald in the top of my head, but am curious about your thoughts. Thanks!
Hi. What did you decide to do? I had my first set of microlocs for 8 years and began to lose hair on the sides and the top of my head. I ended up combing my locs out and cutting my hair. It was pretty traumatic for me. But, I learned natural remedies to strengthen my hair follicles and scalp. I was dealing with autoimmune disease. I am still using remedies to keep my follicles and scalp strong, and I retie my hair very far and few times. I am on my second set of locs.
My story is similar to yours, except I've had sisterlocks for 5 1/2 years and my stylist/loctician told me the same thing when I noticed some obvious thinning going on in the front left side of my hair around a year ago. She told me that it was nothing to worry about, that she was "watching it" and she had to combine locs over the years because I had a few locs that were thin. She did this without me knowing she was actually combining them; I didn't realize it until I started seeing a lot of "two headed" locs growing out. She also told me that my diet could be the cause and to make sure I was drinking plenty of water. Well months go by and I didn't see any progress; I brought this to her attention and then she suggested that I "trim" my locs. So in January of this year, she didn't trim, but cut them...I went from a bra strap length to shoulder length. It was also at this session that I noticed extreme pain when she was retightening in the area of the thinning; when I brought this to her attention "well your scalp is dry, are you oiling your scalp enough?"🙄 After that, I knew that was going to be my last time going to her. I sought a 2nd opinion and that was when I was notified of the possibility of having traction alopecia. The new loctician told me of a plan to resolve it but that it appeared to her that the traction alopecia was caused by a lot of locs being "married" incorrectly and not according to my hair growth pattern and also retightenings that were too tight, especially in the area of concern, making it worse. She also recommended that I see a dermatologist. I did that a month ago and now on a regimen of anti-inflammatory topical ointments, scalp injections and my dermatologist also recommended that retightening visits are longer in between....instead of 4-6 weeks, it was recommended I do 6-8 weeks. My dermatologist said that my hair could grow back without cutting my sisterlocks but at this point, I don't think I can take another retightening. I'm strongly leaning towards the decision of doing the big chop again for the health of my hair. I've loved and enjoyed my sisterlocks journey, however, all good things must come to an end. Honestly, the more I think about having a short natural pixie cut, and going back to being a loose natural, I'm excited about it!
@@sassyone82 - I just saw these replies. I feel for you, my friend. I cut mine off. I wish I could share a photo of how bad it got. But as much as I loved my locs, it just wasn't working. My hair grows SOO fast -- which is a blessing and a curse because while I have no problem growing length, it meant that I couldn't go too long without retightening. The few times I tried, the loctician basically had to recreate my grid. So what's worse? Retightening every six weeks, or waiting eight and having everything take three times as long because there was no discernible grid? I decided to save my scalp. So no more locs. And I didn't do it soon enough. My hair is so thin on top, it makes me sad each time I wash it. So I've just been wearing a little curly fro for several months.
@@Emarii2 I cut them off. I miss them, but my scalp was damaged. And irreparably in some places. I'm now wearing a short fro and trying to heal, as much as possible, my scalp.
I was sick and eventually my beautiful locks were thinning and falling off and. Looking bad. I cut them off after leaving them and getting a couple of inches of new growth. Now rocking my twa after having locs for 13 years. Ahh. Now waiting for my big Afro lol
Getting your hair retwisted too often and put in braids can do this too. I also noticed when I had dreads is that heat damage is also VERY REAL so be careful under those blow dryers especially right after a retwist bc the scalp can already be irritated and just imagine what the dry air from the hair dryer will do
Yes! You are absolutely right! So many factors to consider when maintaining locs. Heat damage and scalp damage are absolutely factors that contribute to hair loss! Good info 👍🏾
I thought I could trust my loctician with my hair, but she gave me microlocs with kinky extensions that may be too heavy, and I'm worried that when my hair starts to grow out my locs would be super thin at the root. I'm scared to say anything too because my parents were really excited for me and paid a lot of money for them
This is all me I’m 55 and my locs are past my butt, I have thinning, locs growing together and loss. I wear them up most of the time but am planning on cutting them to take off some of the weight.
Yes! The weight of the locs can certainly cause hair loss. Check out this video -- although its not specifically related to locs its the same concept --->. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-0Yq5-jJNk4Q.html Also, make sure you see a trichologist or dermatologist. There may be other things going on within the body that may be exacerbating your hair loss as well. Cover you bases! Please get help if you haven't already. I don't know if you've looked at any of my more recent videos but I have a health and hair online course launching in a few months. You are welcome to sign up for the waitlist if interested. It will focus on growing and restoring your hair through lifestyles practices.
I have Sisterlocks and have this exact issue. I don’t really see any other option than to cut my hair because the majority of the loss is in the front. I’ve been to a trichologist but her answer was extra strength (mens) Rogain (sp), which I’m not comfortable with. It felt like the same treatment she would give to everyone but not specific to my issue.
I am currently combing mine out... I may do an under cut to give the hair at the back a fresh start. But my hair is the longest its ever been soo I'm taking the slow but steady root. At the same tome researching what I need to do for my scalp health thank you for sharing this.
Combing them out! I tried that one time -- it took 13 hours. I combed out my aunts locs. Yes -- please take your time to retain as much healthy hair as well. Give yourself a GOOD deep treatment afterwards, get a trim, and care for the scalp. Are you thinning?
Thanks for the info. Your videos are always so informative. I absolutely love your hair. Your locs were beautiful but the way you are rocking your hair right now looks AH-MAZING!!!😍💚💚💚
I have the same problem. I am being treated by a dermatologist because of itchy scalp and hair thinning. I’m Contemplating doing a short chop or cut 12 years of locs😢. My locs are thinner at the roots but thicker from middle to ends and my parts are further apart. Don’t know if my hair will be ever gain it’s thickness cause my gray hair is now much softer and thinning. Any suggestions?
I'm going through this now with my locs. My dermatologist suggested that I cut them, but I am going to comb them out. Hopefully, I can save some length.
Yes! Please be gentle when you come them out as well as to not put stress on the follicle. I had locs for a year and tried to cut them out but I wasn’t patience and just cut them off! Lol 😂
@@KarenofCurlHouse Update: I still have my locs, but I will be cutting them this month 😢. I tried combing them out but the effort wasn't worth it. My roots have only gotten thinner over the past few months.
Also some peoples scalp is just not ment for dreadlocs bc of the weight dreads put on your scalp and so it causes hairloss. As well as the fact that some people (in the beginning) cant wash there hair as frequently as they need this opened up so many doors for all type of scalp disorders including seborrheic dermatitis which can lead to hairloss especially if you already have some traction alopecia
I couldn't have said it better myself!!! I did released a video that was about the weight of some braids on the hair follicle -- locs also may be too heavy for some, and if you are dealing with a dry and itchy scalp I certainly don't recommend locs of any form until that is under control.
I have endometriosis with chocolate cysts on my ovaries and I’ve been through ivf and childbirth in the last year and a half, could this been contributing to the hair loss I have been experiencing?
Absolutely!!! There seems to be disruptions in the endocrine system. I would strongly recommend you see a trichologist in your area to help address both internal and external issues.
Hey there! You don’t have to cut them all … but the thinning is your body and scalps way of telling you something may be off. See it as a warning a sign. ⚠️ because remember thinning can spread and you don’t want that to happen. Check in with a dermatologist, tricholgist or doctor your own self assessment to determine the root cause of the thinning and address it. 😊
Yes. A lot of time estrogen changes, reduces and affects your hair growth. Check to see if you have any other deficiencies (low iron, zinc in particular) and work to address them. Increase your consumption estrogen rich foods. Are you doing anything to address your hair loss as well? Are you applying anything topically?
@@KarenofCurlHouse I am making sure my B D vitamins are up and good gut health! Also I’m vegetarian so I’m trying to correct it nutritiously! I could be low on zinc though . I wish I could find a really good vitamin supplement. But it’s not getting worse so I’m glad about that. I don’t use anything special topically just castor oils after washing
I started my drugs in August 2023. I haven’t gotten a re-twist as yet just haven’t been able to afford it or had the time and I’m noticing the ones that have been going back are thin at the root and chunky at the bottom, what do I do? I already did a big chop in 2022. I don’t want to have to cut my hair again I really do want to have dreads. I usually just wear awake on top of them as they’re not re-twisted and they don’t lay down properly. I did two strand twist into myself.
7min video just to say thinning hair is due to hair loss and to talk to someone about it. Don't bother with cutting the hair. If your locs are thinning combine the hair and take your vitamins. This video would have been more useful if it offered people solutions. OP don't even have locs.
Hey Lynette! Many stylists use it as deep cleansers or to really clarify locs when they been washed in a while. Detergent can be very stripping and drying on the hair. But should you use detergent followup with a moisturizing shampoo.
Wrong you go to a dermatologist for alececia they give you a foam that has your hair growing thicker than it was before within two weeks you hair will begin to grow. Get yourself a DERMATOLOGIST
Hey there! Dermatologists are definitely a plus as they do prescribe medication. There are so many different treatment options for different root causes of hair loss. Thank you for your feedback.
You need to speak with a trichologist or dermatologist to get to the root cause of your thinning locks. Are you doing anything to treat your scalp as well?
